Washington at Houston

Many do not realize how much the Washington Wizards have improved this year. This team has a great trifecta of Areans, Jameson and Butler (great job Lakers, for Butler, you lost a future all star to pick one of the biggest busts of all time in Kwame Brown). This team is now in 5th place in the East for a playoff spot and come off a huge road win at Sacremento - and considering that the Kings had won 13 in a row there, it is quite an accomplishment. Furthermore, this team won that game without Arenas who had the flu but who is expected to play tonight. The W without Gilbert shows the depth of this team. Keep in mind that as they go on the road today they are 3-1 on this road trip having already defeated the Jazz and the Warriors. Houston is still without T-Mac as they needed him to put nearly 40 last game at Washington to beat the Wizards. Thus, this is a revenge game for Washington as well and considering that Houston had lost their last 5 in a row at home before beating Seattle recently. Granted, Houston is making large light of their win, but given the fact that Rashard Lewis did not play that game, they should not take too much solice. The Wizards are very capable of winning on the road - after all, this was the team that gave Detroit's first road loss of the year. We'll ride the hot Wizards on the revenge and angle and their desire for a playoff birth.